We each have our own ideas of what success, happiness or personal and professional fulfillment will look like when we finally reach our goals. As you live your life and work your plans, how are you responding to life’s messages along the way? Are you taking time to enjoy and appreciate the journey to that final destination or are you waiting until you get there to feel fulfilled? How do you plan on responding to the Life Experiences and the Learning Process that your journey will inevitably teach you? Here are five keys to lighten your load as you move towards the fulfillment of those life-long dreams.
Life’s Little Secrets: As you pursue your dreams it is important to remember that life never tells you all its secrets. It continues to unfold as you think, act and work your plan. Don’t wait to act until you see the entire picture. If the calendar says Spring, nature will not provide a clue to winter until the time is right. See the big picture in your plans but know that there are aspects that will continue to be revealed as you put your plans in motion. Life takes on more meaning as factors we never planned for reveal themselves. Take delight in those revelations and enthusiastically incorporate them into your carefully laid plans. As you take these changes in stride know that who you are and what you can accomplish will also continue to unfold as you live and grow. Welcome these changes and embrace them as part of the natural order of life.
Life’s Kismet Moments: It was Samuel Goldwyn who said; “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” You often hear people say that someone else had kismet, was lucky or got the big break. Luck had nothing to do with it. What they did was to prepare themselves for that opportunity so that when it came they were able to take advantage of it. So begin to prepare your mind, take action and seek that opportunity so when luck strikes you’ll be ready and able to take advantage of it.
Life’s Gentle Nudges: Have you ever had a vague notion, idea or inclination that you followed to its logical end? Where did it take you? Many time those whims of fancy or seedlings, if allowed to germinate can open new doors and opportunities. Have you ever thought that the hobby you so enjoy doing could turn into a successful enterprise? Did you ever have a fleeting thought about an invention but you passed it off as a silly notion only to have someone else bring it to market? Those silly notions may be the spark of a whole new adventure. Don’t be quick to discard those ideas. Write them down. Mull it over. Allow it to germinate. Be observant. See how you can bring it to fruition, perhaps not today but in the not too distant future.
Life’s Ownership Opportunities: Take ownership of your course of conduct, your life and its direction. Do not allow others to dictate your livelihood, your actions or your aptitude. Failing to take ownership and responsibility for where you want to go in life is like going to the supermarket and having someone else fill up your basket with what they want. As Dr. Phil would say; “How’s that working for you?” Listen to the advice of others but you have to be the final arbiter of your course of action. Don’t surrender your power of decision making over to those who claim they know what’s best for you.
Life’s Timetable: Momentum is needed to keep one moving forward when the inevitable setbacks occur. The right momentum allows you to change course in midstream and to keep pace with the changing reality of life, relationships and business activities. It allows you to change strategy, speed up or slow down as needed to allow the plans you’ve set in motion to reach fruition. At times you may feel that events are not occurring fast enough. Understand that this is part of the ebb and flow of life. As you plan, take into account that momentum could shift in midstream. Don’t fall out the boat but steer it along with the knowledge that proper planning will help you from going off course.
How have you dealt with the journey towards success? What lessons have life taught you?
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